If your battery application requires more starting power or reserve capacity you can install multiple batteries together in parallel by connecting the like terminals together (positive to positive / negative to negative). Each time you add a battery in parallel you increase the CCA and Reserve Capacity, the voltage remains at 12 volts. For example, two OPTIMA® RT U 4,2`s in parallel will provide 1630 A and 100 Ah. Three in parallel provides 2445 A and 150 Ah. If you have any questions about multiple battery installations, contact an appropriate auto electrical service centre.

Suggestions for connecting batteries in parallel

" Use batteries of identical make, model, and age. " Make sure cable gauge is sufficient to handle the higher current flow. " Prevent cables from shorting (do not allow them to rub against the vehicle body). " Use only high quality connectors and clean all contacts prior to installation. " Periodically check all connections for secure fit. " If you are unsure of this procedure, contact your auto electrical service centre. Battery installation Tipps

" Ensure that the battery is properly secured in the vehicle or equipment to prevent movement and vibration. Do not over tighten the hold down bracket as this can damage the plastic case. " Connect high amperage accessories such as a winch to the top terminals only. Do NOT use the side terminals. " Replace any cables and connectors that have corrosion, rust, or other damage. " Do not install batteries in a non-ventilated or sealed compartment. " Do not lift or handle the batteries by the terminals. " Do not over tighten terminal bolts, the following values are recommended: SAE automotive terminal: 6-8 nm.

Side terminal (3/8" nut): 8 nm.Threaded stud terminal:14-20 nm.

Maintenance and Storage

Battery Maintenance

The OPTIMA® battery is truly maintenance free. When charged properly you will not have to worry about leaking, corrosion, or gassing. Periodically inspect your battery terminal connections to ensure they are clean, snug, and protected from the elements.

Battery storage Due to its unique high purity lead grid construction the OPTIMA battery has a self discharge rate much lower than conventional flat plate batteries. This means the OPTIMA can be stored for longer periods of inactivity whilst retaining enough charge to start your vehicle. Depending on storage temperature, the OPTIMA can usually stand for 8 to 12 months and start most vehicles. When possible, store your battery in a cool, dry location. Check the battery voltage every 6 months and charge if it falls below 12.6 volts.

Remember, newer vehicles with on-board electronics such as computers, alarms, etc, require battery power to retain system memory while the vehicle is parked. If the vehicle is to be stored for long periods you should use a maintenance charger to compensate for this drain. This charger should be voltage regulated between 13.2 - 13.8 volts, 1 amp maximum. On older vehicles, without electronics, disconnect the battery cables when the vehicle is not being used for extended periods.

Red Top 4.2s & 3.7s Charging Guide

Product Description

OPTIMA SpiralCell Technology"! represents a radical rethink in lead-acid battery design. The pure lead plates of an OPTIMA battery are wound into a spiral, producing tight compact cells. Electrolyte is bound into fibre-glass floss separating the plates, giving rise to an extremely low internal resistance. It is this unique construction which enables OPTIMA batteries to replace and outperform much larger conventional flat-plate products.

OPTIMA SpiralCell Technology"! offers the following advantages:Completely Sealed: The electrolyte in an OPTIMA battery is completely absorbed. It cannot leak even if the case is cracked open. This means that an OPTIMA battery is safer for people, equipment and the environment.Zero maintenance: Thanks to recombinant technology, absorbed electrolyte and sealed construction, the OPTIMA will not corrode battery terminals, cables or vehicle. In addition, you never need to add water.Longer shelf life: With a low rate of self discharge, the OPTIMA can go unused for up to a year without recharging and yet still retain high performance. This makes it ideal for seasonal use in farm equipment, boats and vintage vehicles.Universal size: The OPTIMA fits a wide variety of cars, trucks and other applications such as compactors. In addition, it can be mounted in any position, even upside down.Unequalled vibration resistance: Vibration is a primary killer of conventional batteries. The tightly wound cell of OPTIMA has proven resistant to jarring and vibration and eliminates plate shedding. The addition of V-Tech"! has further improved the already impressive vibration resistance.Battery life: In performance tests the OPTIMA battery lasts three to five times longer than a conventional flat-plate battery in the same application.High purity lead: OPTIMA SpiralCell Technology"! enables OPTIMA to use higher purity lead than in conventional batteries. This means increased performance and high resistance to sulphation, another major problem for conventional batteries.Climatic changes: OPTIMA s unique structure makes it extremely resistant to temperature extremes, whether hot or cold. The battery can be used within the following temperature range; 40ºC to +60ºC.Fast, crisp starts: The low internal resistance and high purity of components in an OPTIMA battery equate to extremely high Cold Cranking Amps.

Quality control checks:During production and prior to shipment from our plant in Denver U.S.A. all OPTIMA batteries undergo strict quality control checks. The following tests are carried out on the same day as batteries are dispatched:

1. Voltage measurement - The ability of a battery to hold charge is a good sign of the quality of that battery. Only batteries with a voltage higher than 12.80V are allowed to pass down the packaging line.2. Internal resistance measurement - Internal resistance is another good indicator of quality. The internal resistance of our starting batteries is below 3m?3. Load test - A load test of ~1400A is applied to the batteries to check the integrity of the internal cast on straps.4. Visual - Batteries are checked for signs of external damage and cleaned prior to shipment.

Battery specifications:

Parameter / Battery

Red Top 4.2s

Red Top 3.7

Length (mm)

254

228

Width (mm)

172

170

Height (mm)

199

195

Minimum Weight (kg)

17.20

14.4

Nominal Battery Voltage (V)

12

12

SAE Reserve Capacity (minutes)

120

90

SAE Cranking Amps (CA)

1050

925

SAE Cold Cranking Amps (CCA)

815

720

SAE Capacity (C/20)

50

44

Guide to charging Red Top Professional batteries.

The table below provides a guide to charging OPTIMA Red Top Professional start batteries. Thanks to its low internal resistance the OPTIMA battery can accept very high charge in rush currents of up to 300A. This allows the battery to charge faster than conventional batteries. The OPTIMA is also more resistant to high charging voltages. In applications where there is a higher than normal drain on the battery such as emergency service vehicles we recommend that you investigate OPTIMA s unique range of deep cycle batteries.

Application / System

Type of Charging

Current, Voltage and Time limits

Vehicle charger

Voltage Regulated

Voltage:

14.0 to 14.8 Volts

Mains charger

Voltage Regulated

Voltage:

14.0 to 14.8 Volts

Current:

10 Ampere

Time:

Depends on depth of discharge 6 to 12 hours

Float charger

Voltage Regulated

Voltage:

Depends on depth of discharge 6 to 12 hours

Current:

Maximum 1 Ampere

Time:

Indefinite at lower voltages and currents

Boost charger

Voltage Regulated

Voltage:

15.6 Volts

Current:

No limit as long as temperature < 50ºC

Time:

Until current < 1 Ampere

Safety and Handling

" Always wear proper eye, face and hand protection when working with battery. " Never lean over battery while boosting, testing, or charging. " Exercise caution when working with metallic tools or conductors to prevent short circuits and arcing. " Keep terminals protected to prevent accidental shorting. " Replace any battery that has signs of damage to the terminals, case, or cover. " Install battery in a ventilated area for operation and during charging. " DO NOT ADD WATER TO THE OPTIMA® BATTERY.

Yellow Top 4.2s Charging Guide

OPTIMA SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY"! represents a radical rethink in lead-acid battery design. The pure lead plates of an OPTIMA battery are wound into a spiral, producing tight compact cells. Electrolyte is bound into fibre glass floss separating the plates, giving rise to an extremely low internal resistance. It is this unique construction, which enables OPTIMA batteries to replace and outperform much larger conventional flat-plate products. OPTIMA SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY"! offers the following advantages:

Completely Sealed: The electrolyte in an OPTIMA battery is completely absorbed. It cannot leak even if the case is cracked open. This means that an OPTIMA battery is safer for people, equipment and the environment.Zero maintenance: Thanks to recombinant technology, absorbed electrolyte and sealed construction, the OPTIMA will not corrode battery terminals, cables or vehicle. In addition, you never need to add water.Flat voltage profile: The flat voltage profile and low internal resistance allows the OPTIMA battery to deliver more power for longer than batteries of equivalent capacity.Universal size: The OPTIMA fits a wide variety of applications from emergency vehicles fitted with high numbers of accessories to traction applications such as wheelchairs. In addition, it can be installed in any position, even upside down.Battery life: In performance tests the OPTIMA battery lasts three to five times longer than a conventional flat-plate battery in the same application.High purity lead: OPTIMA SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY"! enables OPTIMA to use higher purity lead than in conventional batteries. This means increased performance and high resistance to sulphation, another major problem for conventional batteries.Longer shelf life: With a low rate of self discharge, the OPTIMA can go unused for up to a year without recharging and yet still retain high performance. This makes it ideal for vehicles used infrequently as found in the military, agriculture and construction.Climatic changes: OPTIMA s unique structure makes it extremely resistant to temperature extremes, whether hot or cold. The battery can be used within the following temperature range, 40ºC to +60ºC. In addition, the excellent conducting properties of OPTIMA SPIRALCELL TECHNOLOGY"! make it an ideal choice for electric vehicle users.Fast, crisp starts: The low internal resistance and high purity of components in OPTIMA, equate to extremely high cranking currents and instantaneous power for traction applications.

Quality control checks:During production and prior to shipment from our plant in Aurora, Colorado, U.S.A. all OPTIMA batteries undergo strict quality control checks. The following tests are carried out on all OPTIMA batteries:

1. Voltage measurement - The ability of a battery to hold charge is a good sign of the quality of that battery. Only batteries with a voltage higher than 13,20V are allowed to pass down the packaging line.2. Internal resistance measurement - Internal resistance is another good indicator of quality. The internal resistance of our starting batteries is below 3m?3. Load test - A load test of ~1400A is applied to the batteries to check the integrity of the internal cast on straps.4. Visual - Batteries are checked for signs of external damage and cleaned prior to shipment.

Battery specifications:

Parameter / Battery

Yellow Top Deep Cycle

Length (mm)

254

Width (mm)

173

Height (mm)

200

Minimum Weight (kg)

19.5

Nominal Battery Voltage (V)

12

SAE Reserve Capacity (minutes)

120

SAE Cranking Amps (CA)

690

SAE Cranking Amps (CA)

765

SAE Capacity (C/20)

55

Guide to charging Yellow Top 4.2S deep cycle batteries.

When using Yellow Top batteries in standard automotive applications with a relatively small drain on the battery the standard charging information shown below in Table 1. applies. However, in deep cycle usages such as traction applications and vehicles fitted with a large number of accessories other charging algorithms are involved. These are outlined in Table 1. and explained more clearly in the description that follows.

ScopeIn a deep cycling application proper charging is critical to good performance. The proper charge is a balancing act between undercharging and overcharging. Undercharging will result in gradual losses in capacity and thus early cycle life failure. Overcharging, although achieving full capacity, can also result in a severe loss of cycle life. High voltages (>15 V) must be properly managed. They are required for short periods (1 hour) to fully charge and balance the battery and yet if allowed to continue for longer periods they can cause overcharging and thermal runaway. Thermal runaway is a condition where the battery gets hot during charge resulting in acceleration of gassing and recombination reactions leading to further temperature increase and ultimate venting and damage to the battery.

Constant Voltage / Constant Current Charge (IUIa)Charge with a 14.7 V limit. After charge has tapered to <1 A, provide a finishing (balancing) charge for the YT1000 of 2A for 1 hour It is important that there is no voltage limit. Temperature < 60 C. Problems of overcharging individual batteries in a pack may be encountered if the pack is seriously out of balance. No initial current limits as long as voltage and temperature limits are observed. In large packs effective battery management is essential.

Constant Current ChargeReturn 120 % of charge removed on previous discharge. Current = 25 A or less. Temperature < 60ºC. Problems may occur due to inability to establish Ah of previous discharge or seriously out of balance batteries in a pack. Constant current charging is only recommended for very specific applications.

Float ChargeFloat charge at 13.2 to 13.6 V. Maximum current = 1A. N.B. The OPTIMA charger is programmed with a pulse float charge set between 13.4V and 14.4V.

Conditioning Charging (recommended for new batteries or after long storage to quickly attain full capacity)For the D1000S apply a 4A constant current for 16 hours with no voltage limit. Temperature < 60ºC. Discharge: 25 A to a 10.5V cut-off. Typically 2 or 3 cycles will see capacity increase significantly. This charge is extremely useful for electric vehicle operators as an intermittent means to obtain / maintain high capacity. Note: Continuing this charging method for the life of battery will reduce cycle life.

Temperature CompensationTemperature compensation should be set to -15 mV / ?C for temperatures around 25?C. As temperature increases, charging voltage should be decreased.

SAE: THIS MEASURES THE CURRENT AVAILABLE WHEN DRAINING THE BATTERY FOR 30 SCONDS TO 1.2 VOLTS PER CELL.

EN: THIS MEASURES THE CURRENT AVAILABLE WHEN DRAINING THE BATTERY FOR 10 SECONDS TO 1.25 VOLTS PER CELL.

DIN: THIS MEASURES THE CURRENT AVAILABLE WHEN DRAINING THE BATTERY FOR 30 SECONDS TO 1.5 VOLTS PER SELL.

IEC: THIS MEASURES THE CURRENT AVAILABLE WHEN DRAINING THE BATTERY FOR 60 SECONDS TO 1.4 VOLTS PER CELL.